More numbers…

Today’s Fitzsimon File, with Chris’ inimitable take on some of the latest numbers from the world of politics and policy, is a must read. For those who can’t get enough of this kind of stuff, check out this little Labor Day fact sheet from the good folks at the Economic Policy Institute. Here are some of the highlights:

TOTAL JOBS LOST DURING THE RECESSION: 6.9 MILLION

-New jobs needed per month to keep up with population growth: 127,000

-Jobs lost in August 2009: 216,000

-Jobs needed to regain pre-recession employment levels: 9.4 million

-Manufacturing jobs lost since the start of the recession: 2.0 million (14.6% of sector’s jobs)

-Construction jobs lost in the recession: 1.4 million (19%, nearly one in five construction jobs)

-Mass layoffs (50 or more people by a single employer) in July 2009: 2,157; jobs lost: 206,791

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: 9.7%

-Number unemployed: 14.9 million (up from 7.5 million in December 2007)